Virginia DMV Vehicle Transfer | Vehicle Donations -->

Virginia Title Transfer

A Notification of Sale, Trade-in, or Donation Is Required for the Donor to Complete After the Pick-up Date of the Vehicle Donation to Release Liability.

HOW TO HANDLE THE LICENSE PLATES WHEN YOU DONATE A CAR, TRUCK, SUV OR OTHER STANDARD VEHICLE IN VIRGINIA


Please remove the license plates of your donated vehicle before the pick-up. If the plates are not transferred to another vehicle, you may return them to any DMV Customer Service Center for recycling, or you may destroy and dispose of them yourself.

Click HERE find your local DMV Customer Service Center.

Please See the Steps Below for How to Complete the Notification of Sale

There are three ways in that you have donated your car: online, in person, or by phone. Currently, there is no option available online. You can find more information and forms for each notification method below:

  1. HOW TO COMPLETE THE NOTIFICATION OF SALE, TRADE-IN, OR DONATION ONLINE:


    *PREFERRED METHOD* If possible, we highly recommend completing forms online instead of by mail, so you may easily save and print out a copy for your records that includes a date/timestamp. Also, when completed online, a receipt can be printed ensuring it's been received.

    2. CLICK HERE



  2. HOW TO COMPLETE THE NOTIFICATION OF SALE, TRADE-IN, OR DONATION IN PERSON:


    Visit your local DMV Customer Service Center. Click HERE to locate your local DMV Customer Service Center.


  3. HOW TO COMPLETE THE NOTIFICATION OF SALE, TRADE-IN, OR DONATION BY PHONE:


    Please contact the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles at: 804.497.7100



Haven't donated yet? We can help you find a fantastic Virginia nonprofit to donate to.


Frequently Asked Questions


Q: When do I cancel my insurance? A. Only cancel your vehicle's insurance AFTER your vehicle has been picked up and you have notified the state that you’ve donated your vehicle. If your state requires notification, please be aware that you should never cancel your insurance prior to reporting to the state you are no longer in possession of the vehicle. This is a general rule for States/Motor Vehicle Departments that require Notification be submitted or license plates returned.

Q: Who is considerd the purchaser of my vehicle donation? Is it the nonprofit or charity? A. The purchaser of your donated vehicle is NOT the nonprofit or charity. It will either be the vendor or Charitable Adult Rides & Services, the vehicle donation program provider and partner of your nonprofit of choice.

Q. What is State Notification? A. State notification releases the vehicle donor from liability over the vehicle, including registration fees and from having to keep the vehicle insured, after the vehicle is picked up. State notification is a way for the state to create a record that the owner is no longer in possession of the vehicle. The steps needed to release your liability of a donated vehicle vary by state.

Q. Who is supposed to take care of the state notification process? A. If state notification is required, only the donor and/or owner of the vehicle can complete this process. Please do not rely on the pick-up driver or vendor to report to the State/Motor Vehicle Department that you are no longer in possession of the vehicle. If you need support, please contact the vehicle donation support team at donorsupport@careasy.org or call 855-500-7433. We would be happy to assist you.

If you have additional questions, please visit our vehicle donation FAQS.

If you would like assistance with your vehicle donation, please contact us here.

For more information on vehicle transfers, please contact your local Motor Vehicle Division:


Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 27412
Richmond, VA 23269

Phone: 804.497.7100
TTY: 800.272.9268
DMV Website